The Great British Pubco Scam. Pubs are closing all over Britain yet pubs are places that most people love and think fondly of as some of the most significant, treasured, iconic parts of our culture, places to be cherished, nurtured and looked after. Yet they're closing everywhere... WHY? It doesn't make sense does it? Read on...
A bit about me. And a bit about them. And some photographs...

Pete Brown, you have the measure of this situation exactly.

There are strange people who deny human nature and demonise drink and pubs and places that sell alcohol, whether it's low abv beer or high strength spirit, with quasi religious fervour and fanatical zeal that would have them classified as extremists in any other context. As we progress to a less alcohol using society than we have been, as lifespans increase and general health indicators gradually improve, many of these people appear to sense that if they put the boot in now, give alcohol a push, they will get the unit price of alcohol shoved up to prevent ordinary people from over indulging without it hurting their wallet and making all others think twice about having an enjoyable tipple anytime they like. It's bad and silly and divisive.

On a connected fervour: In 2003 I was introduced to an MP at a House of Commons shindig celebrating the launch of some new grant initiative by the Carbon Trust. When I told him I was a Publican in response to his asking 'What do you do?' his entire frame stiffened visibly and he eyed me up with a wry grin and said: 'Legislation I'm working on now is going to put people like you out of business'. He looked like he really enjoyed telling this stranger that he was out to nobble him. Reminded me of my then pubco area manager. He went on to say how proud he was of his anti smoking stance since it caused so much damage and in passing that he regarded all publicans as irresponsible peddlers of vile and evil goods and practices. He admitted he was not a pub goer and never would be; 'why would I go to pubs? They're filthy places'

As his stance was developing I pondered how this man had switched from being a pleasant, charming person at introduction to presenting as a rabid, socially inept, obsessed lunatic just because I ran a pub. Didn't catch his name unfortunately because I'd become so distracted by his ire.

Whenever I hear alarmist woes attacking everything we do to ourselves when socialising I recall that conversation and doubt seriously that the constituents of a politician like him know how much of a nutter their MP really is.

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J Mark Dodds

I’m one of the Pub Persuaders, one of the Pub Professionals, one of the People who knows what’s going on – in PUBS that is - and this blog is about pubs, why they are so important to people and why they must be preserved, reinvigorated, enhanced and remade fit for purpose for the 21st century and beyond and how they must be made sustainable so that future generations can enjoy and learn from the rich seams of knowledge that can be found on everyone’s doorstep in every humble pub – until it’s closed forever – until it’s too late and people say ‘what happened to our pub? We really NEEDED that pub!’
I’m a publican, parent and photographer with a lot of food and drink experience in some of the busiest restaurants and clubs in Britain. Since long before 2008 (when I co-founded the Fair Pint Campaign) I’ve been a pro pubs, people and places person at the forefront of the national conversation about why pubs are closing… everywhere.
I love good pubs, my kids love good pubs, all my friends love good pubs – everyone loves good pubs and I’m determined to make sure good pubs remain part of everybody’s experience - of growing up in the UK and of visiting this country.